11.12 Establish health and safety policy that explicitly and equally considers the needs of women and men
Content
Description of Best Practices
Adopt safety policies addressing the needs of women and men and the processes for implementing them
Include health and safety protocols in job duties and responsibilities
Provide women equal access to personal protective equipment (helmet, etc.)
Provide equal access to separate toilet, changing room, shower, and other facilities appropriate for women and men
Ensure women have equal access to field safety training and benefit equally from field safety protocols (i.e., live-line protocols, tag-out procedures).
Challenges of Implementation
Company may have to change purchasing protocols to ensure a wider range of equipment sizes
Cost of installing facilities and purchasing additional gear could be unrealistic for company
Company may not have developed a complete set of safety protocols or may not be properly enforcing existing protocols, putting both male and female workers in danger
What Success Looks Like
Company adopts health and safety policies and practices that equitably protect men and women
Women and men have the same access to safety equipment, facilities and training
Resources and Tools
Guide: Integrating Gender into Workplace Policies
Guide: 10 Keys for Gender Sensitive OSH Practice: Guidelines for Gender Mainstreaming in Occupational Safety and Health (ILO)
Guide: Safe Consultations with Survivors of Violence against Women and Girls (UN Women)
Report/Study (incl. Workplace Risks Checklist and Sample Risk Assessment Form): Healthy Beginnings: Guidance on Safe Maternity at Work (ILO)